Orthotist & Prosthetist

​You must be 18 years or older and meet the following requirements to be eligible to take the practitioner exams. Please refer to the​ Practitioner Candidate Guide for specific eligibility requirements.

Education

• ​A master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program or​​
• A foreign degree equivalent to a master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) Credential Evaluation

Graduates of an orthotics and prosthetics master’s degree program are eligible to take the Combined O&P Written Multiple Choice Exam prior to starting a clinical residency. 

Clinical Residency

To become eligible to take the single discipline Simulation and CPM certification exams, you must meet the above education requirements and following residency requirements: 

• ​Completion of a 12 month single discipline or 18 month dual discipline National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) accredited residency program.

One of the most important parts of your preparation your practitioner certification exams is your NCOPE accredited residency. The competency assessments that are a part of your residency are a good gauge of your knowledge and skills in a particular practice area. Check out the NCOPE Residency Standards for more information on the types of devices  residents are required to have experienced.